India’s shooting contingent delivered a statement performance at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Granada, Spain, as the mixed team pairing of Palak Gulia and Mukesh Nelavalli clinched gold in the 10m air pistol event, rewriting the record books in the process.
The Indian duo registered a stunning aggregate of 487.7 in the final, setting a new world record and underlining India’s growing depth in precision shooting on the global stage.
Coming into the competition with strong domestic credentials, Palak and Mukesh showed remarkable composure and consistency across both qualification and final stages. The pair had earlier combined for a solid 581 in qualification, finishing second behind China and comfortably securing a place in the medal rounds. That performance laid the foundation, but what followed in the final was a display of elite-level execution under pressure.
Up against a high-quality field featuring reigning world champions Hu Kai and Yao Qianxun of China, along with strong teams from Hungary and the United States, the Indian duo elevated their performance when it mattered most. From the opening series, Palak and Mukesh looked in control, maintaining tight grouping and high decimal scoring, which is critical in modern ISSF finals.
Mukesh Nelavalli was particularly impressive, contributing 244.7 in the final, showcasing technical precision and a steady rhythm across his shots. Palak complemented him effectively with a score of 243.0, demonstrating composure and the ability to recover quickly from minor fluctuations. Together, their combined score of 487.7 not only secured gold but also surpassed the previous world record, marking a historic moment for Indian shooting.
The significance of this victory extends beyond just the medal. Defeating China’s top pairing considered among the most dominant forces in shooting adds weight to the achievement. Hu Kai and Yao Qianxun, the reigning world champions, entered the final as favourites after topping qualification with a score of 586. However, in the final, where margins are razor-thin and pressure is amplified, the Indian duo outperformed them decisively, with China finishing second at 484.8.
Hungary secured bronze with a score of 414.9, while the United States finished fourth. The gap between India and the rest of the field in the final highlighted the level of control and consistency Palak and Mukesh maintained throughout the contest.
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This performance also reflects the effectiveness of India’s selection and development system. Both shooters have risen through the domestic circuit, and their partnership in the mixed team format has shown promise in recent competitions. The ability to translate that potential into a world-record performance on a global stage indicates maturity and readiness to compete at the highest level.
From a technical standpoint, their success was built on three key elements shot timing, stability, and mental resilience. In ISSF finals, where every decimal matters, maintaining a consistent trigger release and minimizing movement is crucial. Both Palak and Mukesh demonstrated excellent control over their shot process, rarely allowing scores to dip significantly. Even when minor errors occurred, they recovered immediately, preventing momentum shifts that could benefit their opponents.
Another critical factor was their synchronization as a team. Mixed team events require not just individual excellence but also rhythm between partners. The Indian pair managed to stay aligned in their scoring phases, ensuring that one shooter’s dip did not coincide with the other’s, thereby maintaining a consistently high combined score.
This gold medal also serves as an important marker in the build-up to major international events, including the World Championships later in the year and the long-term target of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. With Olympic quotas on the line in upcoming competitions, performances like these provide both confidence and valuable ranking points.
For Indian shooting, which has historically excelled in individual events, the rise of strong mixed team combinations adds another dimension to its medal prospects. The success of Palak and Mukesh reinforces the idea that India can be competitive across formats, not just in isolated disciplines.
Beyond the numbers and records, this victory sends a broader message. It highlights India’s ability to challenge and defeat the best in the world consistently. In a sport where experience and reputation often play a significant role, Palak and Mukesh demonstrated that preparation, execution, and belief can overcome even the strongest opponents.
As the ISSF World Cup season progresses, this performance will be seen as a benchmark not just for the duo but for the entire Indian shooting contingent. It sets a high standard and raises expectations, both internally and externally.
For now, though, Granada belongs to Palak Gulia and Mukesh Nelavalli—a pair that not only won gold but did so in record-breaking fashion, announcing themselves as a force to watch in world shooting.
